Electrospun PEI/PAN membrane for advanced Zn ion hybrid supercapacitors

The development of Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZIHSCs) is hindered by the separators' characteristic flaws, which include low mechanical flexibility, inadequate heat stability, poor ion transport, and electrolyte wettability. Herein, a high-performance Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/Polyetherimide (PEI) porous nanofibers membranes are designed and prepared via the electrospinning method, which exhibits superior porosity of 88 %, electrolyte uptake of 837 %, and ionic mobility. Benefiting from its physical properties, the PEI/PAN exhibits high ionic conductivity, which is higher than that of the PAN and Filter paper separator, confirmed by electrochemical experiments in the 2 M ZnSO4 electrolyte. As a result, the assembled Zn/PEI-PAN/JAC supercapacitor offers specific capacitance (148.8 Fg−1), energy densities (52.9 Wh kg−1), and a power density of 1600 W kg−1 at 2 A g−1. Furthermore, the Zn/PEI-PAN/JAC cells show high rate performance and outstanding durability over time after 5000 cycles at 10 A g−1. This work provides a new avenue to design versatile membranes for ZIHSCs with high performance and safety. [Display omitted] •A versatile PEI/PAN membrane with a well-controlled morphology was fabricated by electrospinning method.•PEI/PAN membrane has a reasonable pore morphology for uniform deposition of Zn ions.•The resulting membrane has good stability, excellent electrolyte wettability and high ionic conductivity.•ZHSCs with PEI/PAN membrane deliver high energy densities (52.9 Wh kg−1) and power density of 1600 W kg−1.•Zn/PEI-PAN/JAC cells show favorable rate and cycle performance.